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Charles Phillips Jr. Was Island Summer Resident

Thursday, March 13, 2003 - 7:00pm

Charles Phillips Jr. Was Island Summer Resident

Charles G. Phillips Jr. died Jan. 22 at his home in Palm Coast,
Fla., under the care of Hospice.

Mr. Phillips was born Sept. 8, 1928, in Cambridge, the son of
Florence Prince Phillips and C. Gordon Phillips. He attended Columbia
University and Newark College of Engineering and retired from ITT
Industries Defense Communications/Aerospace in 1990.

Mr. Phillips served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean
conflict. He was a member of Flagler Sports and Conservation
Association, VFW Post 8696, the American Legion Post 400, and was a life
member of the NRA. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Palm
Coast.

His love for Martha's Vineyard began in 1934, when his parents
purchased a home on Pacific avenue in Oak Bluffs. Charles spent many
happy summers on the Island, in a carefree world. He and his friends
would go fishing and sell their catch to a fish market for pocket money.
He also worked the popcorn kettle at Darling's on Circuit avenue.
He spent time helping with the pedal boats on Sunset Lake and at the
bathhouses on the beach. The only interruptions to his summers on Island
happened at war time. However, he met his wife, Alice, on the Island in
1951 and they were married Sept. 19, 1953, and spent the first two weeks
of their honeymoon here.

A growing family and work obligations curtailed their Island time.
Eventually, Alice and Charles divided their year between the Island and
Florida for the last 12 years. The Rev. Kenneth Miner welcomed them to
Trinity United Methodist Church and before long, they were involved in
the life of the congregation. Both sang in the choir and Charles
particularly liked reading the Scripture. Members of the Scottish
Society, they attended Neighborhood Convention meetings, concerts at
Union Chapel and the Federated Church and activities at the Tabernacle.
Mr. Phillips worked security detail part time at Cape Air.

He spent much time on his Boston Whaler and, when his cousin, Robert
Ford, retired to the Island and became first mate, they would spend days
fishing. His family takes much comfort in the knowledge that he spent
much of his life doing the things he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Alice O'Connor Phillips; a son,
Charles G. Phillips 3rd; a daughter, Elaine S. Phillips, and a grandson,
Ian Samuel Phillips, all of New Jersey.

A memorial service will be planned at Trinity United Methodist
Church some time during the summer.